Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c13.s1.11

c13.s1.11

Numerous sayings are spread all over the work here and there. For example, the army is the strength of kings, as recourse to evil is the fashion of the wicked; meanness is the mainstay of the poor, while truth is the forte of the good. (XII, Tale of a base informer.) We are told of ministers, who drew the mind of the king away from duty and themselves usurped the practical authority. Indeed, once we are told that ministers are naturally of crooked minds. (XIII, Tale of a base informer.) Blessed is the king who has an assembly full of efficient men (XVII, Tale of a man learned in the Śāstras.) “Ignorance of kings comes to light in this world when they patronize fools as is also the case when they do not favour the really merited.” (Tale of a man knowing the art of singing, XXII.) “A king transgressing proper limits of decorum and moral rectitude through pride, like an elephant mad with intoxication, and erring from the duties of a king, is none but a demon.” Yet “if we plot against him for these offences of his, we incur the sin of treason against the king: if we put up with his mischief, destruction awaits us. So he ought to be taught religion through sages.” When the sages failed the king was expelled. (Tale of a repentant sinner.)